The Chronicles of Dragon Collection (Series 1 Omnibus, Books 1-10) (132 page)

Epilogue

Curse me!

Selene stood with her acolytes, rubbing the wrist where the Band of Negation had been. Her dark brows were furrowed. Her face was swollen. She’d taken the beating of a lifetime in order to fool Nath Dragon, but he had turned the tables on her. He had failed to take the life of the innocent.

There is no way he’ll be turned.

She took a seat inside the tent and said, “Secure that treasure and leave me.”

The men and women scurried away. Nalzur’s Band of Negation did work, but she had full control of it. She always had full control of everything. Except Nath Dragon.

Blast his white scales!

They seemed even whiter now, what he had anyway, but she’d only had a glimpse, recently. He’d come to visit, but she’d pretend to be sleeping, and the clerics would hurry him away. She ran her fingers along a jagged gash on her forehead and smiled.

I actually took a beating for that man. That dragon! What have I become?

The plan had failed. Had it succeeded, she was certain Nath would have remained by her side forever. That there was no way Balzurth would have been able to stop them. Nalzambor would have been theirs. The Mountain of Doom would have been their palace.

Her fantasies had evaporated, however. Her body ached as she sighed. Soon, Gorn Grattack would be calling, and Nath Dragon would have to die.

Finale

The Chronicles of Dragon: Book 10

By Craig Halloran

CHAPTER 1

Nath slung his fishing line into the stream. Wading in ankle deep, he could see fish swimming in the rippling waters but not taking the bait.

“Perhaps we should return,” the commander said, standing behind him on the bank with his arms folded over his chest. “The skies darken. Rain comes.”

Nath didn’t reply. He had other things on his mind, particularly the rose blossom dragon that Selene had killed. And Selene as well.

“The High Priestess will not care for this, Dragon Prince,” the commander added.

The man was very ominous underneath his dark helm. Peculiar, too. He’d stayed with Nath like a fly on glue.

Nath felt a nibble on his line and jerked his wrist. A fish snapped up out of the water. “Got him!”

He swung the fish over the bank, hitting the commander in his chest plate.

“It’s a big one,” Nath said. “Ever fish before, Commander?”

“Certainly,” the commander said, batting the fish aside. “Don’t be foolish.”

“Foolish,” Nath said, cocking his head. “Did you call me—”

“Apologies, I meant no disrespect.” He bowed. “A slip, Dragon Prince.”

“Aw, don’t call me that,” Nath said. He grabbed the fish, poked inside its mouth, and pulled the hook out. “I’m hungry.” He puffed a blast of fire, charring the fish. “Mmmm!” With his clawed finger, he gutted it, picked the meat off clean, and ate. “Want some?”

“No.”

“Funny, I never notice you eating anything. You’re a big man. I figure you eat plenty, too. Yet I never even hear your stomach growling.”

“Runs in the family.”

“Family, huh?” Nath said, chewing a mouthful. “Why don’t you tell me about them? Do you have a wife? Did you marry with or without that ugly metal bowl on your head?”

“I don’t have a wife.”

“Tell me about your father and mother, then. Do they wear bowls on their heads?”

The commander shifted in his armor. His head twisted in other directions. He turned away and started walking up the bank.

Good.

There was something odd about the commander that Nath couldn’t figure out, but he had other things on his mind. Selene. She’d been evasive. Normally, she stayed close by his side, but now she was distant. She had been ever since they had come out of the cave where she’d killed the rose blossom, the beautiful dragon that had attacked him along with the blue streaks.

Why did they attack me? Why?

He inspected his arms. Bands and streaks of white scales adorned them now. Even the patches of white in his palms had grown fuller. He glanced upward. A flock of dragons flew high in the sky in a V formation.

I should be up there.

He’d tried every day to turn into the dragon he’d once been, but he couldn’t harness the magic. He didn’t understand why. He snapped his fishing rod and tossed it into the water. “Bah.” He glowered at the stream that rushed swiftly by. “Commander, any idea where we’re headed? We seem to be doing circles.”

The armored man came back his way and said from underneath the helm, “We go where the High Priestess says.”

“Do you always do what you’re told?”

“I follow orders.”

“Have you ever not followed orders, say, when you were a boy?”

“Let’s get back to camp,” the commander said. “Perhaps you’ll find the answers you seek there.” The commander started to pass by.

Nath grabbed him in the nook of his arm.

“Let go,” the commander said.

“Say, what is your name, Commander?” Nath said, nostrils flaring.

“You know that. I’m Commander Haan.” He tried to pull away, but Nath held him fast.

“No, what is your first name?” Nath said, eyeing him. “And take off that helmet. How can you always wear such an ugly thing? Is your face so horrible that it must be hidden?”

Commander Haan stiffened and tried to twist from Nath’s grip. He couldn’t break it. He shoved Nath backward.

Nath shoved him back off his feet, onto the ground. “You’re a big man, but don’t be a fool, Haan.” Nath stood over him. “Now, show me your face and tell me your name.”

“No.”

Nath’s nostrils flared. His dander rose. Frustration set in. “Fine. I’ll remove it myself, then.”

CHAPTER 2

Selene soared above the clouds with one thought in her mind.

Nath Dragon must die.

It didn’t sit well. She’d have lost sleep over it if she slept at all, but that was always very little. Gorn Grattack had been clear. If Nath didn’t turn to their side, then she was to bring him to Gorn, who would put Nath to death. Flapping her massive black wings, she streaked through the clouds.

A year ago, she’d have been thrilled to see Nath go. She would have killed him herself. She’d relished manipulating him.

But now, she’d gotten used to him. He was the only one like her, in so many ways: a black dragon who could also be human, the child of a powerful and distant father... She’d watched many die before, but such an outcome for Nath didn’t seem possible. He had become large in her life.

She circled the skies, hour after hour. She’d marched her armies through the hills and beyond the valley on the longest path she could take toward Gorn Grattack.

She broke through the clouds again, dipping below their midst. Parts of the green lush lands were still intact, while other portions were dead and broken. The battle blood of men and dragons seeped into the ground all over, and the world trembled. The edges burned. Elves and orcs were in full battle. Dwarves marched out from Morgdon. The Legionnaires combed the lands. The races were restless, yet the Truce remained intact.

But it will not hold with Nath Dragon dead.

She glided to the earth and took her place on a spire in the mountains. Her keen dragon sight could pick up anything for miles. The forces of good were being spread out just the way Gorn Grattack had planned.

No more Nath Dragon. No more Truce. A new world will be ushered in.

Her black heart skipped a beat, and with a sigh, she puffed a plume of fire into the sky.

Gorn Grattack’s will must be done. I will obey. Nath Dragon must die.

CHAPTER 3

“What kind of man doesn’t get hungry?” Nath said, reaching for Haan’s helmet. “And doesn’t sweat—or even stink, for that matter.” He locked his fingers on Commander Haan’s collar and started jerking at the dark helm. “Oof!”

Haan launched his metal gauntlet into Nath’s belly, shoved him away, and rose up from his knee, reaching for his sword. “Stop this, Dragon Prince, I urge you.”

Nath coughed and patted the iron-hard muscles under his scales. “You hit awfully hard for a mortal, too.” He glared into Haan’s hard eyes. “Harder than a big man even your size could. Explain that, and tell me what your name is.” He pounced on the commander, smote him to the ground, and yanked off the helmet.

Haan cocked his arm back and struck Nath in the ribs.

Nath grimaced. “You can’t hurt me when I’m ready for it. Now, who are you?”

Haan struggled.

Nath strained to hold him fast.

“Haan. Jason Haan is my name. Are you happy now?”

“No,” Nath said. He groaned. “Still you don’t sweat. How can that be?”

Haan’s stern face grimaced under a head of short, black hair. His dark eyes shifted away from Nath’s.

“Look at me,” Nath demanded.

“No, I’ll not.” Haan flailed at him.

Nath grasped Haan’s wrists and pinned them over the man’s head. He squeezed the gauntlets until the metal bent and dug into flesh.

“How am I supposed to get those off now?” Haan said, rolling his eyes. “Sultans! Will you just let go of me—Nath. You’re messing everything up.”

Haan’s voice had changed. No longer harsh and deep, it was lighter. And familiar.

Nath loosened his grip and leaned back.

Whop!

Haan’s metal fist cracked him in the face. The big man effortlessly regained his feet and towered over Nath, to his dismay.

“Gorlee!”

Forming a sheepish grin, the big warrior nodded. “It’s me.” He reached down and pulled Nath up to his feet. “Sorry.”

Nath rubbed his jaw. “Think nothing of it. If anything, I’m glad to see that kind of fight in you. But how long, Gorlee, how long?”

Gorlee scanned the surroundings.

“It’s all right,” Nath said, “no one is near.”

Gorlee let out a breath, and his shoulders eased. “Good.”

“Gorlee, how long have you been near? Have you been spying on me?

“Protecting you would be a better word.”

Nath’s eyes narrowed. Something didn’t set with what Gorlee said. The way he said it wasn’t right. “Sasha!” Nath stepped toward Gorlee. “That was you!” His hand lashed out, and his fingers locked around Gorlee’s neck. “Why? Why?!”

“Keep your voice down,” Gorlee managed to croak out. “Please.” He clutched at Nath’s arms. His face turned purple. “I can explain.”

“How can you explain posing as my friend, looking me in the eye, and lying to me?”

“Please, Nath. I came to save you. Selene caught me, captured my essence, and made me her vessel.” He choked. “I swear it.”

Nath shoved him down.

For all Nath knew, Gorlee was still under her power. No matter what he did, she was there. How could he trust Gorlee now? How could he trust anyone? And what about Sasha? Bayzog? Where were they now?

Coughing, Gorlee started to speak. “Nath, you have to believe me. I’ll tell you everything I know. And I know much. It’s Selene.”

“I don’t want to hear it,” Nath said. “I know she lies.”

“It’s more than that. She was ordered to turn you, and she failed. Do you know what that means?”

“Turn me?” Nath said. His anger subsided as confusion set in. “Turn me into what?”

Gorlee made his way to one knee, shaking his head.

“Into what, Gorlee? A draykis? Hah. I’m already a dragon. And I’m fully alive, not dead.”

Gorlee swallowed as his eyes looked up.

“Kill me? And turn me into one of those monsters?”

“I believe it means something like that. It’s very confusing.”

“Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?”

“I couldn’t risk being discovered. I escaped. They still search for me, but I think I have them fooled, for now.” He glanced around. “That’s why you mustn’t reveal my cover. We must play along.”

“No. I must confront Selene about her plans for me,” Nath said with a sneer.

“She’s a liar, Nath. She’ll twist your clear thoughts into the mud of worms.”

“
You
are a liar.”

“Not of my own volition.”

“Hah, a changeling is nothing but a deceiver.”

“Nath, you know me better than that.”

“Do I?”

There was silence between them for a moment. Only the cool breeze that pushed down the tall grasses whistled by their ears. Nath had no one to trust now but himself. He grunted within.
I wish Brenwar was here.
He never had to doubt Brenwar. But even so, Gorlee’s words had a ring of truth to them.

“Nath, there’s more. The acolytes, they prepare for something. I fear Gorn Grattack is near.”

Nath remembered his dream. The evil Dragon Overlord was coming for him, and he could feel a great presence of evil in his scales.

“So this is why Selene hesitates,” he said, almost with a smile.

“Pardon?” Gorlee said, picking up his helmet.

Things fell into place. Selene’s capture had been a ploy. Setting his jaw, he ground his teeth, clenching his fists.

“We need to keep this charade going, Nath,” Gorlee said. “The way I see it, we need to get to the heart of the matter. That is Gorn. I was waiting for that moment. The moment to strike.”

“And what exactly were you going to do? As I understand it, Gorn is every bit as powerful as my father.”

“I was going to be your backup against him or Selene …” He put on his helmet. “Let’s play along while we can.” He extended his hand. “I am your true friend, and I can explain much more later.”

“I’d be interested to hear it.” Nath stretched out his hand, but he still felt uncertain. A shadow grazed over the grasses. He jerked his head up. “Look out!”

The feline fury dropped out of the sky, right on top of the both of them.